Two red candles burned in the center of the dining room table. A feast-for-two sat between Daryl and his high-school sweetheart. A small turkey, golden-brown and food for a week for the two of them. Cranberry sauce, green-bean casserole—complete with French-fried onions, mashed red-potatoes, and two glasses of egg nog. A presentation matched only by the aroma of pumpkin pie, for later.

“Wow,” he said, “how many people did you invite to join us today?” The presence of only two chairs at the table made it a rhetorical question.

A glimpse of pain flashed across her face before the olive-skinned smile returned. Nary a day passed when she did not reflect on the quickly approaching thirties. To her, an inevitable proclamation of her barrenness.

He reached across the table and took her slender hand. He looked deep into her hazel eyes. “You are what I am truly thankful for—today and always.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I just want to give you a family.”

“Marilyn, no. We are a family. We’ve been a family since we said ‘I do.’ Kid’s don’t make a family.”

She squeezed his hand. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She swept a stray patch of her long black hair behind her shoulder. Her elegance and beauty seemed to grow with each year.

He was hungry. A hungry man seated at a table full of food. Truly something for which to be thankful. “Shall we eat?” He smiled and winked at her. “’Cause I’m anxious for desert.”

The food tasted as sweet and luscious as it looked. In just minutes, they polished off their fabulous meal. She spent hours preparing it.

He helped her put away the leftovers. He’d be able to taunt his fellow officers with his lunches for the next week.

Dishes done, they cuddled together in front of the fireplace and enjoyed feeding one another pumpkin pie.

To say he didn’t want children would be a lie. But, he couldn’t imagine being more content than with the life he possessed. Just him and his precious beauty.

Leave a Reply.

I've been a husband for 28 years and am the father of five children, three boys and two girls, ages 24 and under.

My vocational years have been an eclectic mix of software developer, electrical and manufacturing engineer, manager, and even five years as a worship pastor. So, I guess it only stands to reason that my aspirations as an author are equally unique. As an author it is my desire to challenge one's mind with what ifs, one's heart with if only, and one's sense of justice with if not me.